Living Intentionally and Trusting the Process: A Life Lesson from My Dog

Life often throws us into situations that test our ability to stay calm and centered, especially when we care deeply about the outcome. This week, I experienced this firsthand as my one-year-old Australian Shepherd, Bear, underwent surgery to get fixed. Despite having a great vet who explained every step of the process, I couldn’t help but worry myself sick leading up to the procedure.

The Weight of Worry

For two days, I was consumed by thoughts of everything that could go wrong. I didn’t eat, I couldn’t relax, and I found myself mentally spiraling over things entirely out of my control. As humans, we’re incredibly adept at turning small fears into monumental problems. When life applies pressure, we have this uncanny ability to zero in on every potential issue, magnifying it to Olympic levels of worry.

But why do we let ourselves get to this point?

The truth is, I cared deeply for Bear and wanted to protect him from harm. Yet, I realized my worry wasn’t helping—it was robbing me of peace and energy. This made me think: how often do we exhaust ourselves over scenarios that are beyond our control?

Prepare and Trust

Before Bear’s surgery, I did everything I could to prepare him—long walks, extra playtime, and endless affection. When I dropped him off, I had to remind myself: You’ve done your part, Baylor.

This realization extends beyond pet care. If we’ve done everything we can to prepare for a situation, we must learn to trust the process and, more importantly, the expertise of others. My vet’s confidence in the procedure brought me relief because she had the experience and knowledge I lacked. Similarly, in life, leaning on those who are experts in their fields can provide the clarity and calm we need during stormy times.

Living with Intention

One of the silver linings of this experience was how intentional I became with my time. Knowing Bear would need a few weeks of recovery, I made every moment count the day before his surgery. We explored new trails, played with his favorite toys, and simply enjoyed each other’s company.

This level of immersion made me wonder: What if we treated every area of our life with the same care and intention?

Being present isn’t enough. True immersion means giving your full energy to the moment. It’s not about multitasking or ticking off boxes—it’s about squeezing every bit of value from your time, whether it’s work, relationships, or even walking your dog.

Learning to Breathe

The toughest situations often bring the greatest clarity. While worrying about Bear, I learned that in moments of high anxiety, we must pause, breathe, and regain our composure. This simple act helps us shift our focus from the uncontrollable to what we can control.

Additionally, it reminded me of how we can support others. In areas where you feel calm and confident, lend that stability to those around you. Together, we can create a cycle of support that helps everyone handle life’s challenges more effectively.

Whether you’re a parent, a pet owner, or someone navigating the complexities of life, there will always be situations you can’t control. The key is to prepare as best as you can, trust the experts, and live each moment with intention. And when it’s time to let go, trust that things will work out.

Bear’s surgery was a success, and so was the lesson he taught me: life is richer when you’re intentional, calmer when you trust, and more meaningful when you lean on others.

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